Performing Clara Schumann’s Piano Concerto with the National Symphony Orchestra

Clara Schumann

I am thrilled to be performing Clara Schumann’s Piano Concerto with the National Symphony Orchestra on October 25th. Howard University will be hosting a program dedicated to women in music to celebrate the centennial of the 19th amendment (women’s suffrage), led by NSO guest conductor, Michelle Merrill.

I will be performing the Finale of Schumann’s Piano Concerto, a virtuosic tour de force that is full of rich lyricism. It speaks to the impressive abilities as a pianist and composer she already had developed when she composed the piece at the young age of 14. I have been delving into this piece with a fresh perspective, unobstructed by influences of other performances of this piece, as there are very few recordings available.

As I continue my work bringing great works by women to the fore, I am delighted that this concerto will be performed by a major orchestra. The program will also include NSO Principal Second Violin Marissa Regni performing Presto from Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre’s Violin Sonata No. 1, Howard’s a cappella ensemble, Afro Blue, and other works by Joan Tower, Lili Boulanger, Gabriela Lena Frank, Caroline Shaw, Florence Price, Jennifer Higdon and Amy Beach. 

To learn more about this event, visit the website:
https://www.kennedy-center.org/